Tomasz Piątek, an investigative journalist for Gazeta Wyborcza, is facing criminal prosecution for his exposé book, “Macierewicz and his secrets” (Macierewicz i jego tajemnice), in which he makes allegations of purported links between Antoni Macierewicz, Poland’s Minister of Defence and the Russian intelligence services.
Shortly after the book’s publication in late June, the Minister of Defence filed a criminal complaint against Tomasz Piątek. The Prosecutor General Office’s spokeswoman told the media on 11 July that Tomasz Piątek will be facing criminal charges under Articles 224, 226 and 231a of the Criminal Code for ‘using violence or unlawful threat [which] affects a government authority performing its duty…’ and ‘insulting a public official in the course and in connection with the performance of [their] duties.’ If charged and found guilty, Tomasz Piątek could face up to 3 years in prison. He can be charged at any moment. It is not clear what evidence, if any, the prosecution is basing the charges against Tomasz Piątek on.
In accordance with its international obligations, Poland must ensure that media workers can carry out their function of commenting on public issues, informing public opinion, and conveying information and ideas without threats, harassment or intimidation, and are not prosecuted for expressing views that do not constitute incitement to violence.
